With digitalization, more and more business actors in Indonesia are adopting digital technology to innovate and develop their startup companies across the country, and several unicorns have been listed on national and global exchangesJakarta (ANTARA) - The digital economy has opened up new opportunities for growth for the Indonesian economy, which can, in turn, help improve people's living standards, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has said.
The value of Indonesia's digital economy, which was estimated to reach US$70 billion last year, is predicted to double to US$146 billion by 2025.
"With digitalization, more and more business actors in Indonesia are adopting digital technology to innovate and develop their startup companies across the country, and several unicorns have been listed on national and global exchanges," Minister Hartarto noted in a video that was played virtually at the ‘Huawei Connect 2022: Unleash Digital’ event here on Monday.
Indonesia is currently developing a national digital economy framework to encourage collaboration and foster synergy among relevant stakeholders, he said. The government is continuing to focus on the construction of infrastructure facilities, both physical and digital, starting from improving fiber optic networks, BTS towers, data centers, high-throughput satellites (HTS), as well as developing 5G networks.
"Indonesia is also a pioneer in the implementation of the low Earth satellite orbit," said the minister.
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Another top priority is human resource development, he added. Indonesia currently needs at least 600 thousand digital talents every year.
To close the gap, the government is working on preparing a reliable young workforce by making information and communication technology a part of the educational curriculum and expanding digital training programs, such as the Pre-Employment Card program.
The Pre-Employment Card program enables job seekers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to improve their competence by acquiring new skills or upgrading existing skills.
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Minister Hartarto further said that Indonesia is one step away from passing the Personal Data Protection Law.
"The ratification of the bill will make Indonesia the fifth country in Southeast Asia to have a special law on personal data protection after Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines," he informed.
Indonesia has made digital transformation one of the priorities of its G20 presidency, he underlined.
Indonesia, he said, is pushing for a more inclusive global economic recovery, especially by digitizing MSMEs, expanding financial inclusion, accelerating digital literacy and skills, and reforming global data governance.
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"In a world where digital data products and services can flow across the globe in an instant, regional and global collaboration is essential. By working together countries can ensure technological breakthroughs that will benefit everyone," he added.
Through Huawei Connect 2022, it is hoped that all parties can gain insights and explore opportunities to synergize and collaborate for encouraging the adoption of digital technology and leading innovations to support digital transformation, Hartarto said.
"Let's use this momentum as the main step to increase cooperation in accelerating and creating an inclusive digital and connected economy to realize (a) sustainable digital (future) for Asia-Pacific," he remarked.
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Translator: Katriana
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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